'Intimacy Idiot' by Isaac Oliver: EW review

Intimacy Idiot

type

Book

Current Status

In Season

author

Isaac Oliver

publisher

Scribner

genre

Essays

We gave it an A-

Like any young memoirist worth reading, Oliver has mastered the art of self-deprecation. (He describes his body type as “Old Lady, Slouchy, or ‘It’ll Do.’ ”) But with the title of this hilarious book of essays, Oliver may not be giving himself enough credit. He really isn’t an idiot when it comes to intimacy, at least with his readers, because he’s so good at spilling secrets without scaring us away. The story of his hookup with a man who wears dolphin costumes turns into a poignant reflection on self-acceptance. Numerous observations from jury duty and late-night subway rides prove both tragic and transcendent. Oliver can find humor and heart in the unlikeliest of places—even a Grindr date. A–